Best Take-Out Containers for Hot and Cold Food Items

When a customer picks up a take-out order at a restaurant or takes the rest of their unfinished meal home, they expect to be provided a sturdy take-out container. The right packaging can make it easier to transport and protect these leftovers.

By doing so, you’ll make a good impression and turn them into loyal clients. However, the market has many options for take-out containers for hot and cold food items. Fortunately, you can learn about the best ones in this guide and stock them to keep your clients happy.

Bio-Boxes

One option for take-out containers is a bio box, which gets its name from the fact that it is biodegradable. These packages, which come in white cardboard or recycled paperboard, allow your business to lower its environmental impact.

When customers finish their meals, they can simply toss these empty take-out containers into a recycling bin. After they undergo the recycling process, they may become food containers once again. Plus, the advantages of using bio boxes aren’t limited to the environment.

These take-out boxes play an important role in enhancing the customer’s experience. Both white and recycled paper boxes come with liners that stop their hot or cold contents from leaking. These prevent condiments or juices from spilling and ensure customers can enjoy every delicious morsel of their food.

Clear Hinged Containers

If you would like your customers to be able to see their food as they take it home, consider using a clear hinged take-out container. Although some containers rely on you to use a separate lid to keep their eats locked and secure, these come with the lids built in.

All you need to do is use your fingers to snap them closed. The snap lock also ensures that your hot or cold food stays fresh on the journey from your restaurant to your client’s home. The take-out container’s rigid plastic exterior also provides it with ample protection from any accidental drops.

Paper Food Pails

One classic take-out container for hot and cold food items is the paper pail, which is common in Chinese restaurants. There are many reasons why restaurants use these containers that go beyond their appealing, compact appearance.

The paper walls of these take-out pails help prevent sauces from escaping and help maintain the temperature of your meal. Additionally, their paper tabs will lock the container shut and stop any dust or debris from getting into the food on the ride home.

Like the bio boxes, customers can recycle paper food pails, making them another environmentally conscious choice for your eatery. You may even attract eco-minded customers who share your passion for limiting your carbon footprint.

MFPP Hinged Container

Another carryout container that will provide your customers with a strong seal is a white, mineral-filled polypropylene (MFPP) hinged container. Although these take-out boxes will not allow clients to see their meals as they take them home, they will keep them locked inside and ensure that they don’t spoil.

Like the bio box and paper food pail, this container is recyclable thanks to the MFPP material. Plus, it can be used to store both hot and cold meals. Another distinct advantage is that it is microwave safe. If your customer reaches their home and decides that they would like their food to be a little warmer, they don’t need to take the time to place it into a bowl. Instead, they can leave their meal in the MFPP container as they warm it up. This adds convenience to their at-home dining experience, which will make your clients glad they ordered from you.

Round Paper Food Containers

Although the containers above may work for various materials, they may not be so handy for holding liquids, such as soup or ice cream treats. Fortunately, a round paper food container can meet that need.

Available in white cardboard and natural kraft paper, these will stay sturdy as your clients carry them or enjoy them on the ride home. You can also seal them with various lids to meet specific needs. If they order a hot soup, consider using a flat, vented lid with holes so steam can escape and reduce the pressure inside.

Or, you can add a plastic dome lid with a hole. This allows your customer to enjoy tasty spoonfuls of their ice cream sundae without making a mess. If they prefer to enjoy their treat when they get home, you can add a clear polypropylene lid that will seal it up tight and allow them to keep an eye on their ice cream.

Black Base Microwaveable Containers

If you don’t think you will ever find a microwave-safe container with a clear lid, think again. Usually made of strong plastic, these containers consist of two pieces: the black bottom base where you place your food, and the clear top that goes over it.

After you or your customers lock the two together with the food inside, they can safely transport it and heat it up at home. Plus, the design of this container features a smooth, streamlined aesthetic, which will also impress your clients.

Sugarcane Fiber Hinged Containers

One last sustainable option for take-out meals is sugarcane fiber-hinged containers. Featuring a clamshell structure similar to the clear and MFPP boxes, these can provide restaurateurs with durable yet biodegradable containers.

Plus, these containers are strong and can resist oil and grease. You won’t have to worry about grease soaking through and posing a threat to the container’s rigidity or leaving stains on the customer’s clothes, if they were to place them on their lap. Instead, you can feel confident about their ability to keep everything inside.

After learning the various options available for take-out containers, you can now effectively focus on enhancing your take-out guests’ satisfaction. Make sure to seek out these options today so your customers will feel motivated to provide you with rave reviews and more inclined to use your take-out business. Your eatery will truly thrive when you use the best containers the market offers.